Postage Paid

i want the cute cat
and not the cracked-up pavement 
through the broken woods

Grin and Bear It

Toy Story 3. Now.
i could carry the bag out
and cry all morning

a toy, a trigger?
my girl is off to college.
(this is no cartoon).

and so he will stay.
though i know she will leave me.
each grinning their truth.

like this worn-out dog
i have nearly given up…
yet, i’m a Taurus.

and so i garden
though it, too, is a failure
stolen by flowers

this year’s loss, in pics:
weeds and grass and tearing out 
for one little heart

before the long drive,
enjoy the perfect park. shop.
soak up cousin time.

eat your sister’s meal
till the next time you see her.
too long (just too long).

your daughters will drive.
together, we can make it.
we will rule the night.

it’s all we can rule
with the oldest off to school
we can rule the night.

summer camp is done.
art, yoga, cycling, love.
and home stretch? cooking.

these so-rare smiles
pouring milk for tortillas 
like happy siblings

did you say siblings?
how about our matching twins
with perfect spring rolls?

don’t forget sushi 
made with Chinese expertise
to brighten their eyes

and fufu for all
stirred by girls from two cultures
finding friends at home

these mandazi men
so proud of their puffed product
all the way from home

taco influence
on the next generation 
sharing her home’s heart

this sweet quesillo
comes from home with a sweet tale
(we’ve hit a home run)

my pup, lake, camp, board:
seemingly perfect weekend
(calm before the storm)

the weather plagues me
sending wind when there was none
and stealing these views

if i could lift wings,
glide pelican-like, headfirst,
it wouldn’t matter

alas, i must walk
through all the humanoid storms
that we’ve created

"bikes for everyone"
is our summer camp motto
(if not, it should be)

what did we just learn?
first, bike vocabulary:
then, real practice

the best from today?
my daughter's helpful patience
(a prospective teacher)

at sixteen years old
learning to ride can be hard
(a kind heart can help)

childhood bullies
prevented her from riding
till my girl taught her

no award for this
no graduation medal
yet, better than gold

begonia angel:
perfect wings and hollow center
symbol of my life

surrounded by blooms
(yet the reality kills)
as they slowly die

eighteen long months late,
we celebrate our friendship
of thirty short years

she survived COVID
now, we're both vaccinated
to celebrate love

what a perfect place
green grounds, infinity pool
for endless friendship